2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 33
BY SENATOR LUNEAU
A RESOLUTION
To commend and congratulate the coaches, players, and staff of the Grambling State
University Football Tigers on winning the 2016 West Division SWAC title, the
SWAC conference championship, and the HBCU national championship.
WHEREAS, the 2016 football season was one of exhilarating triumphs for the
Grambling State University Tigers as they completed the regular season with a 10-1 record
and a 9-0 league record as West Division champions of the SWAC; and
WHEREAS, on December 3rd in Houston, Texas, a big second-half lifted Grambling
State to a 27-20 victory over defending champion Alcorn State in the 2016 Toyota SWAC
Football Championship Game, marking the seventh championship game win for the Tigers,
and the first for Head Football Coach Broderick Fobbs; and
WHEREAS, Martez Carter, the Offensive Most Valuable Player of the game, set a
game record for most all-purpose yards with 348 yards, including scoring the eventual
game-winner, as the Tigers outscored the Braves 27-3 after falling behind 17-0 at half; and
WHEREAS, defensively, Grambling State was led by De'Arius Christmas, who
picked up 12 tackles and a sack in winning the defensive MVP award; and
WHEREAS, in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 17, at the Air Force Reserve
Celebration Bowl, the Tigers captured their fifteenth black college national championship
and first since 2008; and
WHEREAS, the Celebration Bowl, which was supposed to feature two high-powered
offenses in North Carolina Central and Grambling State, instead, was a defense and special
teams game; and
WHEREAS, GSU running back Martez Carter, whose 32-yard touchdown gave the
Tigers its first lead in the third quarter, finished with 109 rushing yards on 12 carries, 23
yards pass receiving, and 69 yards on returns and was named the Offensive Most Valuable
Player; and
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WHEREAS, in the crucial final minutes of the game, the NCC Eagles scored a
touchdown to move the score to 10-9, but the Tigers' Joesph McWilliams blocked the extra
point try, which was recovered by De'Arius Christmas, to capture the title; and
WHEREAS, linebacker Jameel Jackson was named the Defensive Most Valuable
Player after coming up with a huge interception with less than six minutes remaining in the
game and recording five unassisted tackles; and
WHEREAS, the SWAC All-Conference Team included Tigers Devante Kincade as
quarterback and Offensive Player of the Year, Donavan McCray on the defensive line and
as Defensive Player of the Year, Martez Carter at running back, Justin Miller on the
offensive line, Chad Williams at wide receiver, Samuel Reese on the defensive line, Arkez
Cooper at linebacker, Guy Stallworth and Jameel Jackson at defensive back, and Coach
Fobbs as Coach of the Year; and
WHEREAS, quarterback Kincade ranked third in the FCS and first in the SWAC in
passing efficiency (171.6) and first in the conference in completion percentage (65.2),
passing yards per game (263.3) and total offensive yards per game (290.4), boasted 28
touchdown passes to just three interceptions, and posted two games where he threw for at
least 400 yards and five scores or better; and
WHEREAS, defensive lineman McCray anchored the front four of a Tigers defensive
unit that led the SWAC in most every statistical category and ranked fourth in FCS in points
allowed (16.4), as well as ranked first nationally in red zone defense (.577), making 28 total
stops – 11.5 for loss – with five sacks, three fumble recoveries, a blocked kick and a safety
recorded; and
WHEREAS, the second team all-conference included Trent Scott at offensive line,
Verlan Hunter at wide receiver, Blain Winston at defensive line, Jonathan Wallace as kicker,
and Martez Carter as return specialist; and
WHEREAS, wide receiver Chad Williams was named to the American Football
Coaches Association 2016 Coaches FCS All-America team as he posted a SWAC triple
crown in receiving as he led all players in catches (90), yards (1,337), and touchdowns (11),
and was the only player to crack 1,000 receiving yards and average 100 yards or better per
contest; and
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WHEREAS, the Tigers completed the 2016 season with a 12-1 record, perfect in the
SWAC, winners of the West Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC),
SWAC champion, and national champions.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend and congratulate the coaches, players, and staff of the Grambling
State University Tigers for its twelve win one loss season record and capturing the SWAC
West Division title, the SWAC championship, and HBCU National Championship.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Head Coach Broderick Fobbs.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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